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The former 125 champion is in his third year as a factory Honda rider, but finds
himself as the third wheel in the Repsol team. He spoke with MICHAEL SCOTT
5 MINUTES WITH ...
ANDREA DOVIZIOSO
GPWEEK: So far, it’s been a pretty good
year for you.
ANDREA DOVISIOSO: If we think about
the speed, and the level that I am riding
and the level of the other riders, I think it is
the best. But always in my career it is not
enough. So I am always not happy enough,
because the goal is higher and higher.
The level is exceptionally high at the
moment.
For me it’s unbelievable. Because you
have to make a good practice, you have
to make a good start ... you have to do
everything perfect, and then you still have
to fight. And if you miss one little thing, it
is very difficult. But I am happy to be in
this moment.
What do you need to beat “the aliens”.
The speed of Casey is unbelievable,
the speed and consistency of Lorenzo
is unbelievable. Dani also, Simoncelli
sometimes so fast. Every rider has a lot of
talent in some special place, but during the
championship, it is not just the speed – you
have to get the points in the races.
If you see the speed of Casey it
looks like he is much faster than the
other riders, but it is not like this in the
championship, if you see his career. You
need many things, and you keep pushing.
For example my speed compared with
them, there is a difference, but I am third
in the championship. If we improve a
little bit in some place, we are there.
We don’t need something big. Just
something small.
It’s unusual this year to have three riders
in a factory team. How does it feel to be
the third wheel on Honda’s bicycle?
To have team-mates like Casey and Dani
is not the best because they are really
strong, really fast. Anyway ... I am second in
the championship of the three, and it is not
impossible to arrive at where Casey is. A
difficult situation ... but this is the race.
Looks like next year you will be in a
satellite team. How does the situation
look to you?
I think there is no possibility to have
three riders in the factory team ... so
there is the possibility to go to a satellite
team. But with a factory bike and factory
support? I don’t know at the moment. I
am still waiting some answers from Honda.
Like Simoncelli. So we have to wait.
Some say you are too sensible – not crazy
enough, like Simoncelli. How do you
respond?
If we look at the practice, yes. But
Simoncelli did not beat me in a race, so ...
Looks like for him in this moment it’s
more important to make pole position or
to be fast-fast-fast. Not so much the race
result.
Every rider has a different character and
style. My style and character is ... smooth,
so it looks like everything is not so fast, not
spectacular.
Are you very analytical? A scientific
rider? Do you have a lot of technical
knowledge?
Analytical is my character. I think I have
a good sensibility to understand, but the
technical details inside the engine, no. I
don’t think that is important to be fast.
The important thing is to give the real
feedback to the mechanics.
Many riders say blah blah blah, but
not many times is it true. This makes the
difference.
My relationship with my team is really
good. It is our third year together. My bike
is really good this year.
How different from the other
Hondas
is yours?
I am harder on the brakes than either
Casey or Dani, so I need more stability
under brakes. If I don’t have the feeling
on the front it is difficult for me to push.
For sure Dani has a different set-up from
everybody. He is very light, so he needs
everything much softer.
I can’t follow the other riders. I can’t. I
have a different style. I think it is the same
for all riders.
How often do you get scared in a race?
Only when something happens. If
you remember in Turkey in 2006, when
Barbera and de Angelis crashed on the
very fast corner. I was behind them. When
something like this happens, I was really
scared.
When you are riding you can’t be scared.
If something happens to you, you can be
scared after, but only after.
How often in a race do you lose the front.
Not too many times. For my style when
you lose the front you can’t be fast so I
try always to have some margin before
you pass the limit. The rear a lot – that is
normal for that to be sliding.
You have been a father for almost two
years now. Is it harder to race?
It changes your thinking, but in my
situation in a better way. Maybe because
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thinking about what will happen if
something bad happens to me. So it just
gives me more motivation, because when
you have a daughter she gives you a really
good sensation, and that can help you.
We’re back from the mid-season break.
Any holiday tips for our readers? What’s
your favourite holiday?
I still need to find that. I made one
week to Sardinia – I think it is one of the
best places in the world. The water is
nice. I made a really good relax, which is
important for our life during the season.
But I don’t like to do nothing. Normally
my holidays are to do with sport, or to do
something exciting.
Finally, what was the last present you
bought for yourself?
Hmmmm. These – new shoes. I love
new shoes. These are Nike, and I decide
the colour. (Blue.) I like shoes ... have no
space for any more.